A Stylish Distraction: Fashion & Films

A still from the film Belle; Credit

Hello, my friends. I hope you are having a wonderful day. I initially released this post a few days ago but made updates to it. I hope you enjoy it. This post was prompted by a movie I saw a few days ago, Belle. If you are not aware of the film it is about a bi-racial girl born of a British aristocrat and an African former slave whom was reared from early childhood until young adulthood by her father’s family in England during the late 1700s.  I won’t give away too much of the plot in case you are planning to see this movie; however, I thoroughly enjoyed it. The reason I mention this movie is because throughout the film I found myself whispering to my mother about one beautiful dress after another that was worn throughout the film by the ladies.  You see it is common for me to find myself distracted by fashion during a film. I don't just mean movies that in some way involve the fashion industry either.  I began to wonder if this is out of the norm or if fellow fashion lovers sometimes get distracted by clothing that characters wear in a movie. Soon after I began to find out if it is common for others to be as inspired as I am by the costumes in a film I learned that not just a few collections have been inspired by films but this phenomenon seems as if it will be forever more the norm.

Just take a look at the Lookbooks and collections below and let me know what you think. I am not going to disclose whom the Lookbooks and collections were inspired by because I am fairly sure you can guess and, if not, here's a hint:  They are on my list of stylish films below.

Wildfox Couture Spring 2013 Lookbook; Credit

Wildfox Couture Spring 2013 Lookbook; Credit

Banana Republic 2012 Lookbook; Credit

Banana Republic 2012 Lookbook; Credit


 

Brooks Brothers 2013 Lookbook; Credit

Net-A-Porter 2013 Lookbook; Credit

Net-A-Porter 2013 Lookbook; Credit

 

I am going to share with you films, old and new, which have had this same effect on me.  They really do support my own hypothesis that clothing can sometimes be a charming distraction while movie-watching.

 



American Hustle (2013)

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The Great Gatsby (1974 and 2013)



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Clueless (1995)

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Marie Antoinette (2007)

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Confessions of a Shopaholic (2009)

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Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961)


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Rear Window (1954)

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The Hunger Games / The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2012 and 2013)

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Anna Karenina (2012)

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Bonnie and Clyde (1967)

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Casino (1995)

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Desperately Seeking Susan (1995)

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A Single Man (2009)

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Out of Africa (1985)

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The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999)

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All 007 Movies (but top honors to Dr. No released in 1962)

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*Honorable mention goes to a film that I do not consider as stylish; however, because it brought tulle skirts back into popularity as quickly as you can count from one to three it would be a sin for me not to mention it: The Black Swan

The interesting thing is if I consider a film to be mediocre or completely inconsequential while I am watching it the distraction is sometimes more than welcomed. I thought the Devil Wears Prada was okay but I have to admit it was a letdown from the book. I believe most of the film critics rated it fairly; however, the clothing worn by Miranda Priestly, Emily Charlton and ultimately Andrea (Andy) Sachs would get a solid four of four stars.

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I think this is the reason, throughout the years, during movie awards’ season many costumer designers are awarded for their designs on movies that really have not been that effective in reaching a wide audience.  In addition, there are many movies that have made millions based on the attire worn by the characters in the film. Admit it; how many of you have been less than enthused about a movie after seeing it but you went to see the movie again and maybe even purchased it after it came out on DVD solely because you wanted to see the fashions in the movie once again?

Many designers must indulge in the same activity because they were so enthralled by the films below they created collections inspired by the film they so loved.

The Badgley Mischka Fall 2013 runway collection looks below were inspired by Alfred Hitchock movies featuring femme fatales:




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Badgley Mischka was also inspired to create the Spring 2013 runway looks below because of their admiration for the 1936 movie, A Midsummer Night's Dream.

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Chanel's Resort 2013 collection was inspired by the film Marie Antoinette.

Alexander Berardi's SS11 Collection was inspired by Jean Seberg in the 1960 movie Breathless.

 

 

Ralph Lauren's SS12 collection was inspired by the Great Gatsby which is quite interesting as you will find out later.

Designers are certainly influenced by the clothing in movies. Several clothing styles are still a product of films such as The Great Gatsby, Breakfast at Tiffany’s and other top films. Jumpsuits were somewhat popular before American Hustle was released but post-American Hustle they are even more so a common trend. Even clothing styles from the film Clueless which is certainly not a recent film just keep coming back into heavy rotation. Have you seen solo artist Iggy Azalea’s music video, Fancy? It is an homage to the film Clueless. Somehow, I think the knee-high with socks and mini-skirts look may be around for a while. The resurgence of popular clothing styles is often directly related to the entertainment industry is it not? Often, there is no stopping clothing styles once they are seen on the big screen or are worn by popular music artist.

In addition, film productions seem to be relying more and more on fashion designers to collaborate with them on the wardrobes of the film’s characters and in one case to direct the film. Guess whom collaborated on the films below? Because of the fashionistas you are I am sure you know the answer, and if not, just scroll down further.

1. A Single Man; Credit

2. The Great Gatsby (2013); Credit

3. The Black Swan; Credit
 

1. Tom Ford directed the film
2. Miuccia Prada's designs were used for many of the costumes worn in the party scenes.
3. Rodarte: The design team of Laura and Kate Mulleavy

Guess whom designed Robert Redford's costumes in the 1974 version of The Great Gatsby?  If you guessed (or knew already) that it is Ralph Lauren you really know your film costumes' history.

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Take a look at the runway collections below. I think they reinforce the innate talent of the designers whom collaborated on other movies among my stylish films list and the reason behind why they were tapped to crossover into the film industry.


Tom Ford:

SS14; Credit

SS14; Credit

AW14; Credit




 

Prada:

AW11; Credit

AW11; Credit

AW11; Credit

AW11; Credit





 

Rodarte:



NYFW14; Credit

NYFW14; Credit



 

Ralph Lauren:

Resort 2014; Credit

Resort 2014; Credit

 

Resort 2014; Credit

 
What do you think is there an almost symbiotic relationship between films and fashion designers? Which film's costumes were among the best in your opinion? Is there a film I did not mention here that included a sea of one breathtaking costume after another? I would love to know your thoughts so please share them. You know I love to hear from you.

Until next time, ladies and gentleman, I hope you have a stylish week.